Australian Student Engagement, Belonging, Retention and Success: A Synthesis of the Literature

A literature synthesis presenting a range of national and institution-level studies of student engagement in Australia, in particular those with relevance to the key themes of belonging, retention and success. These themes inform the main discussion and are then summarised in terms of issues and trends emerging in the Australian student experience literature. Implications for international policy and practice are also explored, which include recommendations for future directions in student engagement research, policy and practice. A sample of practical applications in the form of resources generated from Australian studies of engagement is outlined. These resources are useful for policy makers and practitioners, including curriculum developers, programme leaders, and academic staff in the disciplines. To conclude the synthesis, selected literature reviews specifically concerned with student engagement from Australia and New Zealand are provided.